Did you know that Texas is the leading state for residential hail damage?
Nearly 200,000 hail loss insurance claims are filed every year.
The frequently changing Texas weather contributes to various types of roof damage.
In this blog, you’ll learn about three specific ways bad weather can impact your roof and what you can do to restore your roof and prevent future issues.
Texas Weather Overview
Some people assume that Texas is hot and sunny year-round. That’s definitely not the case; though anyone who’s lived here more than a year can tell you that.
Texas’ summers are hot and humid, but the winters are cold, dry, and windy. Even though winters are relatively short, they can still be quite intense.
The state’s temperatures can reach lows of 36 degrees Fahrenheit (on average) and highs of 96 degrees. Such significant changes in weather create plenty of opportunities for roof damage to occur.
How Bad Weather Can Impact Your Roof
Texas homeowners can experience all kinds of roof damage due to bad weather.
Below are three of the most common ways bad weather can impact your roof.
#1 Way Bad Weather Can Impact Your Roof: Hail Damage
Hail damages shingles.
With Texas being the number one state for hail damage roof claims, we naturally had to include this issue on our list.
Hail stones are small balls of ice ranging from 1-1.75 inches wide.
They’re dense, compact, and rounded/rigid, meaning they can easily cause dents (in the case of minor hail damage to the roof) or even punch holes in solid objects (in more severe cases).
Depending on the hail’s size and factors like wind speed and temperature, your home’s shingles can come loose or tear altogether.
Even small hail damage to the roof can lead to big problems (such as leaks), especially if it’s not addressed right away.
If you have asphalt shingles, being battered by hailstones can also cause granule loss. Granules on the shingles is what protects your roof and allows water to shed off the roof.
Granule loss causes increased wear and tear, meaning your roof’s lifespan may shorten.
It also increases your risk of dealing with torn or creased shingles.
#2 Way Bad Weather Can Impact Your Roof: Rain Damage and Snow
Rain and snow cause leaks.
Both snow and rainstorms can cause major roof-related issues for homeowners.
Texas receives an average annual rainfall of 27.25 inches. During the state’s rainy season — which typically lasts from March to May — your roof is especially prone to water damage.
Rain can easily find and leak through weak points between loose and damaged shingles (especially during very heavy storms). This could result in water dripping into your house from your roof.
When water infiltrates the home, it can cause problems like mold, mildew, and compromised roof integrity.
If enough water gets through the shingles, it could even enter the walls of the house and cause further structural damage.
Snow and Ice Damage
Texas might get less snow than other states; however, the snow and the ice that the state does receive can cause roof damage.
For example, ice dams can form if the snow melts and refreezes.
Ice dams trap snow on the roof and push water under the roof’s shingles, increasing your chances of facing leaks and interior water damage.
The same happens when we have icy weather. If the ice doesn’t melt fast enough,the water seeps through the shingles and causes internal links in the roof.
#3 Way Bad Weather Can Impact Your Roof: Wind Damage
Wind damages shingles.
Texas is a very windy state. In fact, it produces more wind energy than any other state in the U.S.
If your experience wind damage to the roof, your shingles could come loose or be ripped off altogether.
Missing shingles, in turn, can lead to an increased risk of leaks and water-related damage (mold, structural damage, etc.).
Excessive wind can also cause granule loss, which also makes your roof more susceptible to leaks — especially if you don’t replace damaged shingles as soon as possible.
How to Check for Roof Damage or Impact
It’s not always obvious when severe weather has damaged your roof.
However, if you don’t identify and rectify the damage, the issue can escalate into a more serious (and expensive) problem.
If you notice moisture in your attic, that means there are weak points on your roof that are allowing water to get inside the house.
Remember that even a tiny amount of water is a sign of more significant problems to come.
Don’t ignore it and assume it’ll go away on its own.
Loose Debris
If you notice loose debris around your home after a storm (such as loose branches or outdoor furniture blown around), that could mean something struck your roof at some point.
You should clear debris away as soon as you can and then check for broken shingles or other signs of damage.
Ice Dams
Ice dams develop when partially melted snow freezes on the roof.
When this happens, a ridge of ice appears, preventing additional water from leaving the roof.
Because water pools on the roof, the risk of leaks and other types of water damage increase.
A professional will schedule a time to come over and evaluate your roof.
Then, they can give you a detailed report and let you know what’s required to restore your roof to like-new condition.
#4 Make a Claim with Your Insurance
Once the professional roofer has inspected your home, a claim can be filed to repair your roof.
ProRoofs Restoration can guide you through that process.
Tips for Choosing a Good Roofing Contractor
If you need help finding a skilled contractor who can repair your roof, follow these steps:
Review their list of services and ensure they handle inspections, hail damage, roof repair, etc.
Ask about availability to ensure they can get to you as soon as possible
Ask for an estimate, so you know (roughly) how much you’ll pay for repairs
● Read reviews and testimonials to see what past clients like or dislike about their services
You should also look at the company’s portfolio to get a better idea of their work quality and the kinds of properties they work on regularly.
Prioritize Ongoing Maintenance
You can’t control the weather, but you can manage your home’s ability to withstand it.
After you’ve repaired your roof, prioritize ongoing maintenance to minimize the amount of damage caused by future storms.
For example, trim branches around the roof and remove leaves and other debris. Check your rain gutters regularly and inspect your roof for mold and algae (these are signs of moisture).
Pro Roofs and Restoration Has Experience with Bad Weather Roof Damage
Whether you’re dealing with roof storm damage after getting hit with tons of hail or have a leaky roof following a big snowstorm, there are lots of ways that bad weather can impact your roof.
If you’ve recently noticed signs of storm damage on your roof, our team at Pro Roofs and Restoration is here to help.
We’re not your average roofing company.
We work hard to repair your roof as quickly as possible, and we also offer you advice and guidance to maintain the roof when we’re done.
We’re also familiar with the insurance process (and know how stressful it can be).
We will work with you and your insurance provider to make things as simple as possible.
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